[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 7, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S439-S440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE AIR FORCE JOANNE S. BASS

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise to recognize and congratulate 
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass on her upcoming 
retirement from the U.S. Air Force after 31 years of distinguished 
military service to our great Nation.
  As the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Chief Bass's 
unflagging

[[Page S440]]

leadership, relentless initiative, and trailblazing achievements as the 
highest ranking enlisted member of the U.S. Air Force from August 2020 
to March 2024 were vital in leading and developing 689,000 airmen. She 
used her unique perspective as an enlisted leader to guide and shape 
the Air Force during the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, the end of 
combat operations in Afghanistan, and through one of the most evolving 
and challenging strategic environments in modern history.
  As the senior enlisted adviser to the Chief of Staff of the Air 
Force, Chief Bass provided sound advice, perspective, and assistance on 
matters pertaining to enterprise management, enlisted heritage, force 
development, servicemember pay and compensation, and future force 
design. Through her expertise and collaborative efforts with her 
sister-service senior enlisted advisers, she ensured our Nation's land, 
sea, air, and space forces will continue to provide unmatched military 
capability to deter, dissuade, and defeat our enemies.
  Additionally, she directly influenced joint, interagency, and 
coalition teams to redesign and modernize air, space, and cyberspace 
organizations, resources, and training efforts with a renewed emphasis 
on enlisted empowerment.
  Chief Bass focused airmen on competition and innovation, accelerating 
the service's necessary transition into the Air Force of tomorrow. 
Through her reimagining of Air Force foundational documents, creation 
of the enlisted force development blueprint, and delivery of the first-
ever service manual of the joint team called ``The Purple Book,'' she 
revolutionized the recruiting, development and retention of the 
greatest talent our Nation has to offer: our people. Her legacy will be 
forever etched into the history of the Air Force as a changemaker 
during an incredibly consequential time for our country.
  I spent time with Chief Bass during our visit to Little Rock Air 
Force Base in Arkansas and at several Capitol Hill engagements as she 
encouraged congressional support to strengthen military readiness and 
achieve Air Force priorities. Airmen can be proud of her leadership and 
advocacy to ensure the United States maintains air superiority in this 
era of great power competition.
  On behalf of the U.S. Senate, the Senate Air Force Caucus, and a 
grateful nation, I extend my deepest appreciation to Chief Bass and her 
family for their many years of exemplary military service and 
sacrifice. I wish her nothing but the very best as she begins a new 
chapter.

                          ____________________